Although international protections banning whaling went into effect in 1935, North Atlantic right whales are still one of the most endangered species in the world. With fewer than 500 left, they are now the "right" whales to save.

But the major threats to this species are still from humans, including vessel collisions, and entanglement in fishing gear. In fact, scientists examining scars on whale skin estimate that 82 percent of North Atlantic right whales have been entangled at least once.

But steps continue to be taken to help protect this species. NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service has established speed restrictions for vessels during migration season and international shipping lanes have been adjusted as well.

A Whale Alert app is available to those in the North East Atlantic that warns ship captains when right whales are detected nearby. And it is a federal crime to approach a right whale within 500 yards without a special permit. That means we must stay a distance of 5 football fields away from right whales.

With careful conservation and recovery work, the population of this species can hopefully continue to rebound.

A healthy ocean depends on North Atlantic Right Whales. And endangered whales need our help.